9-5 WORK WEEK OF AN ARCHIVIST | processing projects, how i manage my time + solving mysteries! 🔍

welcome to another week in my life as an archivist! in this video I share my typical daily duties such as accessioning & processing collections, preparing donor paperwork, book cataloging, tackling endless backlog of material, and preparing for a volunteer orientation. I also chat about how I manage my time and projects along with a special partnership we started with Ancestry. Hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into what I get up to on any given week!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT //
the land I record my videos on is the traditional territory of the Lenape Haki-nk (Lenni-Lenape). Learn about the land you live on here: native-land.ca/
SUPPORT ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES //
Asian Mental Health Collective: www.asianmhc.org/
stopaapihate.org/
hateisavirus.org/
compassioninoakland.org/
Chinese for Affirmative Action: caasf.org/
advancingjustice-aajc.org/
Foundation for Asian American Independent meDIA: faaim.org
Asian Americans United: aaUnited.org
TIMESTAMPS //
00:00 in this video...
00:50 accessioning & donor paperwork
01:47 book cataloging
04:32 pulling records
05:20 Ancestry project
07:35 project management chat
09:20 backlog processing
11:50 lunch break moments
12:18 solving mysteries
16:05 backlog progress
16:44 more processing
17:28 preservation chat
20:10 post-work debrief
SHOP MY STUFF //
vlogging camera: amzn.to/3qgLzIX
dslr camera: amzn.to/3qmeYky
music i use: tinyurl.com/y2e2yn6k
SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL (thank you so much!) //
buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/sheilajoy
paypal.me/sheilamjoy
FOLLOW ME //
instagram: / sheilajoycreates
art instagram: / sheilajoycreative
goodreads: tinyurl.com/yxv5r8rm
FTC: This video is not sponsored.
This video may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links. Thank you for supporting this channel!
#workweekinmylife #archives #weekinmylife #workvlog

[@thgoaugusto]

Your job seems to be very interesting! Also, you're so pretty! I simply loved your outfits! Best regards from Brazil! 💚

[@laurencydni]

i just found your channel because i was offered a libary internship recently and i was curious to see what archievists do and i'm obsessed! excited to binge the rest of your content. :)

[@SheilaJoy]

Aww yay!! Welcome, new friend ☺️

[@cozy46]

Same! I'm so excited to find other history nerds!😂

[@d2h655]

Highly underrated, thank you for this!

[@cadeylinn]

I love these week in the life of an archivist videos so much! I had never considered it as a career choice, but I really wish I had. I find it so interesting! Would love to see more of these videos and find out more about how you plan and manage so many projects and what tools you use to help with project & time management. Love your channel. Thank you!

[@SheilaJoy]

thank you, Cadey!! Great idea for a video…I’ve been thinking of doing one specific to time/project management so I’m glad to hear there’s interest in it :)

[@thatonellamawhoissoobsesse8138]

I need an archivist action movie where things like the net, super sharp archived stories, and cool scenes with the first song go hand in hand

[@SheilaJoy]

YES

[@kusymre284]

I have been binging your videos! I am in my second year of an MLIS program, and am so thankful I found your content! Have you made a video talking about what topics/classes you suggest future archivists to focus on? xx

[@SheilaJoy]

welcome and thank you for being here! I may have briefly talked about classes in one of my previous videos (it has Q&A in the title) but I can try to remember to talk about it in the future!

[@Tmac92]

Hi Sheila, I really appreciate these videos and what you cover. This is extremely valuable for those of us considering or working towards a career in archives. I'm currently doing the (Australian) MLIS and would love to work in archives, museums, or just in some research capacity. I feel a bit deflated as the sector is competitive, but thank you for these highly informative videos. Love this 'on the job' content!

[@SheilaJoy]

thank you for the comment and support! wishing you good luck with your studies and career goals.

[@TatyanaVogt]

Ive been following you for a little while and had no clue that you did these videos! LOVE this! I realize now that I need to search through your backlog of videos cause youtube is not showing me all the content! Anyway, this is really cool and I am glad you shared it!

[@SheilaJoy]

Oh wow! Shame on KZbin 😂 but yes, there are a ton of archives videos! I also have a playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLdQwyxhOraSrewETl4eC8itVDjLM4gKVH&si=5Z3cSmkjTFKjVLCE

[@JustJami74]

I love your content, Shiela. I graduate from library school with a concentration in Archival Studies in a couple of weeks and I have watched your videos to keep me motivated during my studies.

[@SheilaJoy]

aw, thank you for being here and watching my videos! best of luck with your post-school journey.

[@ashleyederf8116]

Love the music!

[@SheilaJoy]

thank you!! I was jamming out to it myself 😅

[@chynnaurl]

Great video Sheila! I look forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@SheilaJoy]

thank you, friend! :)

[@thequintanashow5058]

I am neither a librarian nor an archivist … but I watch simply because I have such a crush on her!!! The perfect nerdy heartthrob!!! ❤❤

[@SheilaJoy]

aw, shucks! :)

[@hereiam1041]

Getting caught up on your videos! They are just so lovely and cozy 😊! Keep up the great work ❤️!

[@SheilaJoy]

Thank you for the kind words!! 🍂🧡

[@carbonc6065]

Agreed!

[@teresap.8878]

Good that i find our channel

[@SheilaJoy]

welcome, friend!

[@luissc4049]

Hola Shelia, me encantan tus vídeos. Son muy útiles e interesantes de ver. Te felicito por tu contenido y espero recibirlos como siempre. Saludos desde Santiago de Chile.

[@SheilaJoy]

muchas gracias, Luis!! Unfortunately I do not speak Spanish, but am trying to learn :)

[@thatonellamawhoissoobsesse8138]

15:23 was suuuper helpful!! I'm trying to figure out how to archive (and storing to access) years of art jumble at home, so thank you very much!

[@SheilaJoy]

glad it was helpful to you! :)

[@kaitertott]

yesssss (i love your channel)

[@SheilaJoy]

yay, thank you friend!!

[@carbonc6065]

Agreed!

[@ryanp.7284]

Great video

[@bibliobelle5586]

Another great vlog! I discovered your channel at the end of last year (I think!) and binge watched all your old videos. You’ve got a great channel - interesting, relaxing and motivating. Keep up the good work! If you suffer with neck pain from looking down at your laptop you should try a laptop stand with an external keyboard - this helped me a lot.

[@SheilaJoy]

thank you for being here, friend!! thanks for the tip - I am so stubborn that I’ve neglected buying a laptop stand for so long 🙈 I need to get one!

[@mauniep6456]

Your job is so interesting. Thank you for another good video! 😉

[@lolawilson1027]

Right 😁

[@SheilaJoy]

Thank you Maunie!!

[@peace3027]

@SheilaJoy I was doing a search on KZbin, looking for archivist training type videos. I am a fairly new archivist, with no training. But my religious superior and other religious Sisters thought I was the perfect person to start with nothing organized, no archives established, and take over 100 years' worth of stuff and create an archives! That is how I started today watching your videos, one after the other. I particularly like the title of this one, the part about "solving mysteries"! Love it! So, our archives is coming along, very slowly - and is probably what would be considered a small archives, just for our religious Community that established a foundation in America in 1923. Bless you - I appreciate the fact that you love history, love being an archivist and show it, and yet "there are days" .... Sister M. Ancilla (also an introvert!)

[@SheilaJoy]

I am so glad to hear that your organization has taken the effort to start an archives as it sounds like there is quite a legacy to preserve! the mystery solving aspect is definitely one of my favorite things about this job :) from one religious archivist to another, blessings to you! your effort is appreciated.

[@rhodellereviews]

Just found your channel. I love your earrings too!

[@SheilaJoy]

welcome, friend! and thank you :)

[@carbonc6065]

Dream job.

[@thatonellamawhoissoobsesse8138]

Just got to 5 min in and dang these are really good songs

[@SheilaJoy]

they go hard, don't they? LOL

[@thearchive4109]

🎉

[@megreads9]

I work also as a medical archivist in an hospital but I've learned through my experience putting the files or books in a cartoon containers it's not good for saving them, what do you think is there any options for saving history rather than scanning and uploading digital books ? I hope we could save books for history.

[@SalemRamen]

Hi!! 😊✨ i like your channel, i'm student in college in Mexico, study science of information or archivist, and is weird see video in spanish on this tematic in particularly... the work in library... Your videos are cozy, interesting and cute. New suscriber from Mexico... 📚🇲🇽🌈 sorry for my write in english is not very good. 😅

[@SheilaJoy]

hello and welcome!! I am happy to have you here :) that's awesome that you are studying archives. I am trying to teach myself Spanish actually so you can say my Spanish is not very good lol!

[@laurarenteria2395]

I have a sociology degree and was thinking of library science

[@SheilaJoy]

you should do it! having an undergraduate degree is history is helpful, but a library science degree will teach you all the specific stuff you'll need to know which is important.

[@sydrichey6600]

when people especially archivist have to rewrite/copy the written work do they put the original date as well as the dates the written work has been rewritten as well to make sure it is the correct piece?

[@SheilaJoy]

yes! It’s important to document all dates, whether it’s the original or reproduction. Hope that answers your question :)

[@elitesflowers-floristshop.3616]

Hi there! I wonder if you are able to hear music while you’re working on? Or you must to work in silence? Thanks!

[@SheilaJoy]

great q! I fluctuate between music, silence, and youtube videos/podcasts depending on what I'm working on, who's at the archives, and how I'm feeling. If I'm doing research or reading something I can't listen to anything lol!

[@navneetkaur846]

Hi dear, I really like this video about the job of an archivist. I am doing phd in digital literacy after doing Mlisc. I’m moving to Scotland this year. Can you pls suggest me for which post I should apply in library there? Thanks

[@SheilaJoy]

Scotland sounds wonderful! I would look for library assistant or archives assistant jobs. Those are entry level here where I live and a great way to get your foot in the door.

[@britniewright]

hi! i recently started watching your videos. I am looking to get a MLIS, and focus on archiving. Sadly i am hear a lot about bad prospects and I really want some sort of stability after finishing a masters. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it will be hard to find good paying work?

[@SheilaJoy]

hello! I totally understand the desire for stability, I am the same way. I started out working part-time right after graduation and then was promoted to full-time. I know this is not the case for everyone and I am quite lucky. I think it is very typical in this field to start part-time, which I wish wasn't the case. My advice would be to see what other skills you have that could apply to other related fields in the event you do find a job, but it's only part-time. Currently I work 30 hours a week for my main job and I also work 1 day a week at a historical society to pick up some extra income as I'm trying to save money to pay off my student loans. I'd also like to build up my KZbin and art to make extra income that way. Hope this is somewhat helpful. Good luck with your studies!

[@megreads9]

Is that mean that archivist is only for books or anything else ? Please explain to me and the one who should work in this sector should be librarian ? and the books that donated you send them to universities or what ?

[@simplyniambi]

I graduated from AZ State with a BA in Communication, Letters and Sciences program in 2014. I'm very overdue for a career change, so I've decided to go back to school. I'm looking into MLIS programs. Do you think I should get some sort of education in History and how would you recommend I do that with already having a Bachlors? Thank you so much!

[@SheilaJoy]

I would start with the MLIS program requirements: do they require you to have a Bachelors in history? or just a Bachelors in a related field? it has been so long since I applied to grad school that I forget if most places require a prerequisite in history or not lol!

[@lolawilson1027]

How do I become an archivist? I’m majoring in Psychology but want to attend graduate school for library science. What would you suggest?

[@SheilaJoy]

graduate school plans sound right on target! While studying your undergraduate I would recommend trying to get an internship or volunteer at an archives to gain hands-on experience :)

[@kusymre284]

@@SheilaJoy Did you find it difficult to find an archives to intern or volunteer at? I'm struggling. I was thinking a museum might be a good substitute if I can't find anything.

[@lolawilson1027]

@@SheilaJoy I’ll be sure to look into that. My state university has a graduate program in museum studies as well. Do you think that would be a good choice for an archivist job too?

[@SheilaJoy]

@@kusymre284 I’ve been fortunate to find internships in both undergraduate and graduate school. Both were unpaid which is pretty typical, but experience is well worth it! you could even look into non-library/archives fields. All places have archives! So maybe a church, non-profit, or some type of company.

[@cozy46]

Do you need to work a second job, or do you want to?

[@startpage717]

You don't have to wear gloves? if not why not? I think many Archivist are introverts...interesting but this sound like the best professional position as you are not indicated with people on a constant...as it is energy drain....Thanks for sharing.

[@SheilaJoy]

I don't wear gloves most of the time as the texture of the gloves can cause more harm than good to paper, especially if it's very brittle and fragile. If your hands are washed and clean before handling records, that is totally fine in my book. I would suggest wearing gloves when handling photos more so than paper records/books.

[@anniejirovec2628]

Thank you for this! I am currently working on figuring out what I want to do. I am considering a minor in Museum and Curatorial studies (while not the same, they are somewhat similar) so this really helps me put things in perspective!